Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Juicy chicken marinated in fragrant za'atar spice, grilled on skewers and served with cool cucumber tzatziki and warm pita bread. This middle eastern-inspired chicken ready in about 30 minutes pairs chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes, za'atar spice blend, olive oil for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 350 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Middle Eastern cuisine 350 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 tbsp za'atar spice, 2 tbsp lemon juice, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 tsp black pepper.
  2. Step 2: Add 1 lb chicken breast cubes to the marinade and toss to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile, prepare tzatziki by combining 1 cup Greek yogurt, 1/2 cup finely grated and drained cucumber, 1 minced garlic clove, and 1 tbsp chopped fresh dill in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.
  4. Step 4: Preheat grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
  5. Step 5: Thread marinated chicken pieces onto skewers and grill for 10-12 minutes, turning every 3-4 minutes until chicken is cooked through with nice grill marks.
  6. Step 6: Warm 4 pita breads on the grill for 1 minute per side.
  7. Step 7: Serve chicken skewers over pita with a generous dollop of tzatziki sauce.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep za'atar spice blend from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Grilled Za'atar Chicken Skewers with Tzatziki and Pita?

Middle Eastern chicken like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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